Ladakh awarded ‘Best Adventure Tourism Destination 2018’

Ladakh has been awarded as the ‘Best Adventure Tourism Destination’ in Outlook Traveller Awards 2018 held in New Delhi.

“The tourism department has taken concerted efforts to promote adventure tourism and sports in Ladakh. Trekking activities like Chadar trek on the frozen Zanskar River, hiking to Stok Kangri (6121 m) and Nun and Kun Peaks (7135 m), besides biking to Pangong Lake are popular activities attracting a large number of travellers. Camping, double hump camel rides and traditional sports of horse polo and archery also attract adventure enthusiast from across the world,” said Mahmood A Shah, Director tourism, Kashmir.

The department also organized Kargil Road Show twice in 2017 to highlight the potential of the region among adventure travellers. Owing to department’s vigorous promotional campaign, Ladakh received record 2.77 lakh tourists last year.

“We have been organising festivals and adventure sports activities both in Kargil and Leh to make the destination popular among the visitors especially adventure travel enthusiasts. Many travelers visit the places in Ladakh on motorbikes and on MTBs. We are hopeful to witness increased footfall this year and surpass last year’s record arrivals,” he said.

The tourism department also organized adventure race ‘India Expedition’ in September 2017 followed by Leh Festival which showcased the adventure potential of the region across the globe. To expand the scope of adventure tourism in Ladakh, the department has opened new areas and routes like Agham Shyok Road to reach Pangong Lake from Nubra without having to return to Leh. “The new road reduces journey between two places considerably and encourages the travellers to visit Pangong Lake through Shayok River,” said Director Tourism.